Thankful with True Blue

I am in love with the Fine & Dandy "True Blue" collection by My Mind's Eye. The colors and patterns just speak to me . . . I can see myself using this collection over and over, so don't be surprised if you see it some more. ;)

Thankful 2010







I typically do not add a large amount of journaling to my pages, but this time I decided to make it the focal point of my design. I wrote out what I wanted to say in a notebook beforehand so that I had an idea of how much space to plan for my journaling. Next, I created a design leaving lots of writing space, the notebook patterned paper in the Fine & Dandy "Tickled Pink" collection was perfect for this! I used chalks to emphasize the words in my paragraph that went along with the Thankful theme of my page.

I used my Cricut Expression machine and the Thanksgiving Cartridge for my title. I cut out the "Thankful Heart" phrase and trimmed out the word "Thankful" adding the oak leaf from the "Heart" phrase. I LOVE the images on the Thanksgiving Cartridge . . . definitely a favorite that I can see myself using over and over.


Supplies: My Mind's Eye Fine & Dandy "Tickled Pink" Patterned Paper (Wonderful #FAD112), Fine & Dandy "True Blue" Patterned Papers (Dapper #FAD123, Snazzy #FAD132) , 6 X 6 Paper Pad #FAD135, Chipboard Accessories # FAD140, Layered Stickers #FAD142, Stamps #FAD143, Buttons #FAD139, orange patterned paper (MME Kaleidoscope collection), brown cardstock, Cricut Thanksgiving cartridge (title) and brown embroidery floss.

Thanks for stopping by!
Jana

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving Morning! The house is filled with the smells of yummy food cooking in the oven, the kids are chilling on the couch watching cartoons, the sun is shining on freshly fallen snow, and we are cozied up together in a warm house . . . Life is beautiful! :D :D :D

I just wanted to say how thankful I am today. Thankful for friends and family, for the beauty of this earth, for the spirit of Christ that is in all things. For the joy of creating and making something and the friends and fun I have found through this hobby. For health, safety, and life. :D My heart is full today! :D

And since Christmas is on our doorstep, I thought I would a couple of Christmas projects to my blog today. :)

Growing up, my mom had a felt Christmas Countdown Calendar that she would hang on the back of a door in our home. It was a happy Christmas tree decorated with gold ric rack and colorful beads lovingly stitched to it. Below the tree was 24 pockets that contained felt ornaments (with more colorful seed beads stitched to them) that we could attach to the tree to countdown the days to Christmas.

My siblings and I fought over that tree . . . we would wake up early just so WE could be the ones to place the next ornament on the tree. My mom didn't like that we were "fighting" over this countdown because . . . you know . . . the whole "good will towards men" attitude wasn't being fostered. LOL! Finally, she solved this little problem by making another Countdown Calendar. This one was Mary riding a donkey with Joseph by her side. Each day we moved Mary closer to Bethlehem. We loved that calendar, too!

To this day I LOVE Countdown Calendars! I can't get enough of them! The excitement of seeing the progression towards a special day still makes my heart skip a beat.

And just in case you share this same infatuation with countdowns, I thought that today I would share with you two Countdown Calendars that I made using My Mind's Eye papers.

M&M Countdown
This first one was created using a bead organizer from the craft store. How awesome that it comes with 24 little containers to fill with goodies! PERFECT! The containers are quite small, so you would need to choose small candies to go inside. Or how about including a clue to a hiding place of a treat or even a slip of paper listing a family Christmas activity you are going to do for that day. This one can be used in several ways. :)


The black numbers and title were created using my Wishblade, but you could just as easily use stickers that you have on hand. :)








Christmas Bead Countdown
The idea behind this countdown is that a bead is moved across the wire arch for each day until Christmas. By the time Christmas is here the gold star will be ready to place on the top of the tree. :) I used a wooden shape that I found in the Dollar Section bins at Michael's last year. The base is a oval wooden plaque. The wire and wooden beads are also found at Michael's. I simply spraypainted the pieces red and green, then added decorated them with paper. :)






For more ideas for Countdown Calendars that I have made check out these links.
Christmas Cookie Sheet Countdown
Halloween Countdown (this one could easily be adapted for Christmas)

I hope you enjoyed these projects! After today, I will be spending the rest of my weekend decorating our house for Christmas and spending time with my family . . . so you may not just see me until next week.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving Holiday!

Hugs,
Jana

New EXCLUSIVE Cricut Circle Cartridge

Today on the Cricut Circle Blog the Design Team showcased the new cartridge coming out next quarter for the Circle Members. (I believe the next quarter begins in January.)

This cartridge is full of cute cuts featuring Cricut Logos, Machines, Scrappy Supplies, an alphabet, phrases, and more!

Here are the projects I have made with it so far. :)

UTAH SWARM LAYOUT
I had the best time last month attending my first Cricut Swarm. I got to meet several of the Circle Design Team members (I've known Michele Kovack online for 3 years . . . and this is the first time we met "in person." :D It was soooo much fun!) as well as many other fabulous Cricut-Crazy People! Yay! I think crafters have got to be the sweetest bunch there is. ;)

I used the Ultra-Cute Boo! Collection from American Crafts for this page.







CUTTLEBUG STORAGE
I can't wait to make more organization labels for my craft room using all the cute images of the Cricut Machines, glue, scissors, trimmers, and MORE! :D The scallop "label" is actually the background of the Cricut Cake logo. I embossed it with my Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder. Cardstock by American Crafts.







IT'S A CIRCLE-Y PARTY!
This cartridge includes all kinds of buggy accessories to help you celebrate your next Cricut get-together. :D My kids even love all the goodies and have been wearing them around the house all day. :D Glitter Cardstock from Die Cuts with a View.






Pretty darn cute, don't ya think?! I love this cartridge!

If you are interested in joining the Cricut Circle you can join on the Cricut Website HERE.

Thanks for popping by!
Jana

Fall

Fall is such a fun time for our family . . . we take Fall Drives, visit local pumpkin patches, roast hot dogs and marshmallows in the backyard, bake fall treats together in the kitchen, and more! We love it!






I adore the new Fine & Dandy collections by My Mind's Eye! The gold, orange, brown and aqua colors in the Fine & Dandy "True Blue" collection  were perfect for scrapping these pictures of my kids posing at the pumpkin patch. I used the patterned papers, 6 X 6 paper pad (leaves), trims, gems, chipboard, dimensional stickers and decorative brads for this 2-pager.



I created faux stitching on my page by using a paper piercer to punch holes along the edges of my page and the tree shape. Next I used a black gel pen to connect the pierced dots. I love to use this technique when I have curvy shapes (the tree) and want them to appear as though they have a perfectly stitched edge . . something that can be difficult to a achieve on a sewing machine. This is also a great technique to use if you don't have access to a sewing machine.

Supplies: My Mind's Eye Fine & Dandy "True Blue Collection, Cricut Expression, Cricut Straight from the Nest cartridge (Fall), Cricut Simply Charmed Cartridge (tree).

Have a great week!
Jana

Happy Veteran's Day!

Supplies:
My Mind's Eye Union Square patterned paper, decorative brads, and trims. My Mind's Eye Portobello Road Clear Stamps. Bazzill Basics Cardstock. Cricut Expression. Gypsy. Cricut Cartridges: Wild Card (card base), Graphically Speaking (Independence Circle), Plantin Schoolbook (circle, small star).

Have a great day!
Jana

My Mind's Eye Fine & Dandy and a Card

I absolutely love the latest collection from My Mind's Eye called Fine & Dandy. I used the Fine & Dandy "Tickled Pink" collection to scrap this picture of Camryn on her first day of school this year.









My sister-in-law is sweet enough to make us a batch of strawberry jam each year. I couldn't resist the opportunity to make her a strawberry-shaped thank you note using My Mind's Eye papers and my Cricut Expression. I used an image from the Paisley Cartridge and my Gypsy to make my own card. Very fun! I can't wait to try this again!



Thanks for stopping by!
Jana

Halloween Recap

I figured it was time to add a Halloween recap to my blog (better late than never, right?!) when we woke up to SNOW this morning! Nooooooooo! Not yet! Holidays . . . here you come!




Halloween was quite interesting this year. We had RAIN . . . which equals lots of soggy trick-or-treaters. Thank heavens I captured pictures of the kids before it hit hard. :)




Jensyn was Little Red Riding Hood (the most modest costume we could find in the catalog for her age group . . . *sigh!*). Owen went with the Orange Pilot Star Wars costume, Maryn was a Magical Fairy, and Camryn was Jasmine from Aladdin. :)








Can you tell Maryn was NOT in the mood to take pictures . . . I think she was mad at me for delaying their "trick-or-treating" with our traditional Hallween photoshoot. LOL! I'll give her credit for mustering up her best fake smile. :)







The organizing and opening of the new Cricut Circle Blog has been quite the task these past few months, but believe it or not . . . I *think* I am starting to get in a routine and am working on creating regularly again! YIPPEEEEE!!!! :D I've missed my craft table!

I know Halloween is old news by now. ;) But I still thought I would share with you a few things I made for the holiday.

SPIDEY TREATS - Oh, my gosh! I found the cutest little kraft bags at Michael's Craft store one day. They measure approximately 2.5" wide by 3.5" tall. I embossed them with the Cuttlebug Argyle Embossing Folder, added a simple orange circle, and then topped them off with the spider from the Doodlecharms cartridge. I LOVE that little spider! He especially looks cute with wacky googly eyes! :) I stapled the bags closed using the Fastenator. Remember that tool?! This project made me love it all over again and now I'm on the hunt for some refills. :)



GHOST CARD - This card was made using the Mini Monsters cartridge. Love all the cute playful images included on this cartridge!


And . . . don't be too shocked now . . . I made a scrapbook page!

THE LOOT - This picture was actually from last Halloween (trying to catch up!), but shows the typical morning after Halloween at our household. :) Kids sorting candy and getting ready to exercise their trading power. Is this a tradition at your house, too? Page created with the adorable Blackbird collection by My Mind's Eye.





THANK YOU for stopping by! I know it's been awhile, but I promise I am working on getting back to regularly blogging. ;) I appreciate you taking the time to visit me.

Have a great week!
Jana